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Chapter 4
IMMIGRATION 5
PROCEDURES
1. PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS 6
2. ENTRY INTO MALAYSIA
IMMIGRATION
PROCEDURE
1. PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS
All persons entering Malaysia must possess valid national passports or other
internationally recognised travel documents valid for travel to Malaysia. These
documents must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry into
Malaysia. Those with passports not recognised by Malaysia must apply for a
document in lieu of the passport as well as a visa issued by Malaysian missions
abroad. Applications for visas can be made at the nearest Malaysian mission
abroad. In countries where Malaysian missions have not been established,
applications can be made to the nearest British High Commission or Embassy.
No visa required for business ASEAN Countries (except Myanmar) and United
or social visits not exceeding States of America (except for employment).
30 days
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Visa Requirements Citizens of:
Visa required for social visits Iraq, Libya, Macao (Travel Permit/ Portugal
exceeding 14 days Certificate of Identity), Palestine, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, South Yemen, and Syria
Visa required for social visits Armenia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Benin,
exceeding 30 days Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Chad,
Chile, Costa Rica, Equador, El Savador, Estonia, Gabon,
Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea Republic,
Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Kazakhstan, Latvia,
Lithuania, Macao SAR, Macedonia, Madagascar,
Maldova, Mauritania, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia,
Nicaragua, North Korea, North Yemen, Panama,
Paraguay, Portugal, Russia, Sao Tome and Principe,
Senegal, Slovenia, Sudan, Surinam, Tajikistan, Togo,
Ukraine, Upper Volta, Uzbekistan, Vatican City,
Venezuela, Zaire, and Zimbabwe.
Visa required for social visits Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria
exceeding 90 days (Vienna), Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Brazil, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kirgystan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz
Republic, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Peru,
Poland, Qatar, Romania, St. Marino, Saudi Arabia,
Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab
Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Yemen
For nationals of Israel, visas and prior approval from Malaysia’s Ministry of Internal
Security are required.
For nationals of Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro, visas and prior
approval from Malaysia’s Ministry of Home Affairs are required.
Nationals from other countries other than those stated above (except Israel), no visa is
required for visits not exceeding one month.
Note:
* Visa without reference is issued by the Malaysian mission in the respective country.
** Visa with reference is visa approved by the Immigration Department
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES 78
2. ENTRY INTO MALAYSIA
A visitor can obtain a visit pass for the purpose of a social or business visit at the
point of entry provided he can satisfy immigration authorities that he has a valid
passport and visa (where necessary) which allows him to stay temporarily in
Malaysia.
A Visit Pass is issued to visitors for the purpose of a social or/and business visit
such as:
• Foreign reporters from mass media agencies entering to cover any event in
Malaysia
These passes cannot be used for employment or for supervising the installation of
new machinery or the construction of a factory.
Other than applications for entry for the purpose of social or business visits, all
applications for passes mentioned below must be made before the arrival into the
country.
All such applications must have sponsorship in Malaysia whereby the sponsors
agree to be responsible for the maintenance and repatriation of the visitors from
Malaysia if necessary.
This is issued to persons who enter the country to take up employment for
less than 24 months or earn a monthly income of less than RM3,000.
This is issued to foreigners who enter the country to take up employment for
a minimum period of two years and earn a monthly income of not less than
RM3,000.
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(iii) Visit Pass (Professional)
• artistes
• volunteers
• invited lecturers/speakers
The validity of the pass varies but it does not exceed twelve months at any one time.
This is issued to wives and children of the employment pass holders. This
pass may be applied together with the application for an employment pass
or after the employment pass is issued.
Launched on 13th February 1996, this programme aims to provide the privilege
to the spouses of Malaysian nationals or the expatriate officers who are
foreigners and having the intention to work in Malaysia. The objective of this
programme is in line with the Government’s intention, to support and
encourage these foreign spouses to channel their skills and expertise towards
the development of this country.
Eligibility:
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All applications should be made to the:
The Malaysian government is desirous that Malaysians are eventually trained and
employed at all levels of employment. Thus, companies are encouraged to train
more Malaysians so that the employment pattern at all levels of the organisation
reflects the multi-racial composition of the country.
• Key posts can be considered where the foreign paid-up capital is at least
RM500,000. This amount, however, is only a guideline and the number
of key posts allowed depends on the merits of each case.
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• Time posts can be considered for up to 10 years for executive posts that
require professional qualifications and practical experience, and five
years for non-executive posts that require technical skills and
experience. For these posts, Malaysians must be trained to eventually
take over the posts.
• The number of key posts and time posts allowed depends on the merits
of each case.
An expatriate personnel who is transferred from one post to another within the
same company will be required to obtain a new employment pass. His original
employment pass will be amended to reflect the change in post. A new expatriate
personnel replacing another must also obtain a fresh employment pass.
All employment passes are valid for the period approved for the post. However,
for key post holders, employment passes will be issued up to five-year renewable
basis except in circumstances where:
• the employer requires the services of the expatriate for less than five years.
Holders of employment passes will be issued with multiple entry visas valid for
the duration of the employment pass.
All applications for expatriate posts from new and existing companies (including
those not involving expansion or diversification) in the manufacturing and related
service sectors should be submitted to MIDA. This includes companies required
to obtain manufacturing licence as well as companies exempted from the
manufacturing licence.
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Only nationals from the specified countries below are allowed to work in the
selected sectors:
Approval is based on the merits of each case and subject to conditions that will
be determined from time to time. Applications to employ foreign workers will
only be considered when efforts to find qualified local citizens and permanent
residents have failed.
Manufacturing RM1,200
Services RM1,200 - RM 1,800
Construction RM1,200
Agricultural RM 360 - RM 540
Domestic Help RM 360
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IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES 84